Michael Richardson, a second-year transfer studies student, started using drugs like cocaine and marijuana as a freshman in high school and drank “as much as I could … until I would throw up.”

He paid dearly for his lifestyle: In January 2019, Richardson, high on cocaine, drove his car into a bridge on Route 50. The accident left him in a coma off and on for four months.

“I almost died,” he told an audience of students during a Sept. 17 event on campus. And because he didn’t, “basically, when I would wake up in the morning, I would want to kill myself.”

“I was so depressed.”

Richardson, who admitted he was a drug addict, said he decided to speak at the Health and Wellness Center-sponsored event to help others who might think there’s no way up from the bottom.

“Never give up,” Richardson said. “Always look … for new ways that you could get better.”

He said he is grateful for his near-death experience because it led him to a sober life.

“I actually am willing to basically say everything related to why I almost died,” Richardson told the students.

Stephanie Jenkins, AACC’s wellness specialist, said she organized the event for National Recovery Month in September.

“We wanted to make sure that we recognize, you know, that it is Recovery Month,” Jenkins said. “For all those that are in recovery and attempting to make that journey with recovery and that to let students know of all the resources and services that are free and available here on campus.”

Jenkins said Richardson “really wants to help other people, and one of the ways he wants to help and give back is by sharing his story.”

Alvin Aminu, a second-year nursing student, said Richardson’s speech was “very interesting.”

“I think he’s a wonderful guy,” Aminu said. “He didn’t hit rock bottom, but he got very close, and it helped him a little bit. And he did get injured a bit, but he recovered. He’s doing well.”